Trace + Olivia Series Boxed Set (112 page)

Trent huffed in exasperation. “I’ve been to your house before. I know the rules, stay in the car, and do not go inside. I’ll be a good boy.”

I swallowed thickly. “Okay,” I agreed reluctantly.

“I’ll see you then.” With that, the line went dead.

I flopped on my bed. Why the hell had I ever agreed to this? Stupid Trent and his annoying knack for being persistent. Why couldn’t he have left me alone? He knew even after all these years I still had feelings for him—it was pretty obvious in the way my body responded to him and the fact that I always ran away from him like a child with a schoolyard crush. I knew we would never make it as a couple though. We were too different and there was so much he didn’t know—that I
couldn’t
tell him. Keeping my distance had been the only way, but he had to constantly pop up, and chip away at the icy shield that blocked my emotions. I knew this was bad, but I had agreed, and I couldn’t stop myself now. I wanted Trenton for as long as I could have him. Especially since no one else could ever replace him. Despite our differences, our connection was deep, it was the kind of connection most people never experienced. We understood each other better than anyone else did. Trenton had always been able to read my emotions when most couldn’t.

I covered my face with my hands and let out a quiet scream so I didn’t worry the kids. I had gotten myself into a sticky situation and there was no way out—not until the both of us shattered completely.

I forced myself off the bed and pulled on my sweater and boots. I picked up the mess of clothes strewn about my small room and returned them to where they belonged.

I dabbed on a bit of pink gloss and some mascara—it’s all I usually wore.

I opened my bedroom door and jumped back when I saw Tristan standing there, peering up at me with curiosity shimmering in his blue eyes. “You were in there for a loooooooong time. Who were you talking to?”

“I was getting dressed,” I told him, tugging on the bottom of my sweater, feeling like I was about to get in trouble for something—funny, considering he was five.

He tilted his small head, taking in my words. Finally he shrugged his shoulders. “Okay.” At his age, he didn’t need more of an explanation, and he’d probably already forgotten that he’d heard me talking to someone.

“What do you want for lunch?” I asked him, closing my bedroom door behind me.

“Sammy!” He exclaimed excitedly, running towards the kitchen as fast as his feet could carry him.

“What kind of sandwich?” I asked when I reached the refrigerator. “Do you want a sandwich, Ivy?”

“Mhmm,” she responded from where she sat at the table drawing a picture. “Turkey, please.”

I set about making the sandwiches, and made one for myself as well. I didn’t want to assume Trent and I would be getting a late lunch, so it was better to eat. I sat down at the table with the kids. Tristan droned on and on about his toy cars and Ivy listened patiently to everything he had to say. I stared off into space, my eyes focusing on a stain on the wall I hadn’t been able to remove after yesterday’s disastrous Thanksgiving dinner. Jim had gone after my mom and hadn’t returned last night or this morning. My mom had come back, and she was currently passed out in her bedroom, a trashcan full of vomit beside her. I didn’t understand how someone wanted to live like that? I guessed that was the thing though, you weren’t really living.

The kids finished eating and I looked down to see that I’d only eaten half of my sandwich. I wasn’t very hungry anymore. I cleaned up, wiped down the table, and looked at the clock. I still had a good two hours to kill before Trent arrived. I needed to get the kids to the babysitter, but I wouldn’t have to do that for another hour and a half. Time had become my greatest enemy. If I allowed it, I’d end up talking myself out of this date… or whatever it was.

I decided to kill the hour left by cleaning. Unlike most people I actually enjoyed doing household chores. It allowed me to keep busy.

Once the whole house was spotless I checked the clock again. I had enough time left to run the kids down the road to Colleen’s—a nice older lady that occasionally kept the kids for me when I was in a pinch. She’d seen my mom in action and agreed with me that the kids shouldn’t be left with her. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about the after school time they were stuck with my mom. She was usually already passed out by that time and didn’t bother them. I didn’t know how long I’d be gone today with Trent and didn’t think it would be all right to leave them home, basically by themselves.

I packed a small bag with toys and snacks. Ivy had a book under her arm and waited by the door for me.

I buckled Tristan in his car seat and drove a block over to Colleen’s. She opened the door when she heard me pull in the gravel driveway. Tristan hopped out and gave me a big hug before running into Colleen’s house. Ivy hugged me as well, her eyes sad. I knew last night had really upset her and she still wasn’t over it.

“Thank you for doing this,” I told Colleen, handing her the bag. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be back,” I frowned. “I’ll call you when I know something.”

“No rush, sweetie,” she took the bag from my hands and set it inside, using her foot to hold the glass storm door open. “I know you don’t get out much. Have fun!”

It was pretty sad that everyone seemed to notice that I rarely got out. What was wrong with that? I
liked
being at home with my siblings. I wasn’t missing out anything.

“Thanks,” I forced a smile, and backed off the porch steps.

I drove the short distance home and was getting out of my car when Trent’s black car came speeding down the road. He didn’t pull into the driveway; he parked on the street, like he had when we were teenagers. A part of me missed those days, when I’d been young and naïve. Trent had been the greatest thing to ever happen to me, but also the worst. Like an idiot here I was back for more.

He rolled down the passenger window and lifted his black Ray Bans from his eyes. “Get in.” The words were slightly demanding in tone, like he thought I’d run away and he needed to be bossy, but they were softened by the easy grin he wore.

I slung my purse over my shoulder and zipped up my jacket. Today wasn’t as cold as it had been in the last few days and the sky was a bright clear blue.

I opened the car door and slid inside. My poor heart was beating so fast that I thought it might give out. I wasn’t going to let Trent know I was nervous, though. I’d act like I was perfectly fine.

“Where are we headed?” I asked, buckling the seatbelt as he pulled away.

“Not far,” was his vague reply.

“That’s all I get?”

He smiled crookedly. “Yeah, that’s all you get.”

I stared out the window watching the trees and houses rush by. Familiar sights met me and I turned to him. “Seriously?” I questioned. “We’re going to the library? They’re closed.”

Trent chuckled. “Oh, how you doubt me,” he scratched his slightly stubbled jaw. “We’re
not
going to the library, emphasis on the
not
. We’re going to be in the vicinity,” he said, turning down a street and into a parking garage.

“So,” I drew the word out, “are you going to tell me what we’re doing yet?”

He hopped out of the car without a reply. I followed him to where he stood, opening the trunk. He pulled out a small black bag and slung it crossways over his body.

“Is that a purse?” I questioned.

Trent let out a bellowing laugh that echoed around the parking garage. “A purse? Oh, that’s a good one,” he continued to laugh as he slammed the trunk closed.

“If it’s not a purse, what is it?” I asked, walking beside him as we headed for the exit.

“Well, seeing as how this is our first real date… as adults that is,” he winked, “I wanted to do something different.”

“And by different, you mean—?” I probed.

“I thought I’d introduce you to one of my hobbies,” he stopped on the sidewalk, tilting his head up to let the sun’s rays hit his skin.

“Are you purposely being vague to irritate me? I can always leave,” I huffed, tossing my finger over my shoulder in the opposite direction.

“Oh, how I love your sassy mouth,” he smirked, his eyes sparkling with mirth. “I love it even more when my mouth is on yours.”

“So poetic,” I droned. “It makes me want to rip off my panties.”

“Hey, whatever it takes,” he shrugged nonchalantly, unzipping the black bag at his waist. I peered closely to see what he was pulling out.

“A camera?” I questioned. “What are you doing with a camera?”

“Uh—isn’t that obvious?” He aimed it at my face and there was a clicking sound.

“Did you seriously just take my picture?”

“I seriously did,” he grinned boyishly.

“I’m so confused. What does a camera have to do with this date?” I asked, pushing my hair out of my eyes as a light wind ruffled it.

He held the camera up again, snapping another picture as he spoke. “I wanted to do something different for our date. Lunch or dinner, that’s too basic. Go-karts is for teenagers—besides they’re closed at this time of year,” he rambled as he continued to snap pictures of me. I resisted the urge to shield my face, letting him snap away. “I was about to give up hope when I was playing with Bartholomew—that’s my ferret, if you forgot—and I was struck by a genius thought. A photo shoot!” He grinned, clearly pleased with his so-called brilliant idea. I had to give him props, it was definitely a different date concept. “I would get to spend time with you, take your picture—you’re beautiful, so you make an excellent model—and we could just… hang out.” His expression was suddenly vulnerable, and I hated that I was the reason for it. My constant rejections had genuinely hurt his feelings—so why hadn’t he given up on me?

“It’s a great idea, Trenton,” I smiled—it was a small smile, but at least it was a real one.

“Are you sure?” He asked, holding his camera at his side. “All of a sudden it seems kind of silly,” he frowned.

He made like he was going to put his camera away and I stepped closer to him, reaching out and grabbing his arm to halt his movements. My hand tingled where it touched his skin. How could one person make my body feel so… shivery? Nobody else, and I did mean nobody, gave me those same feelings. “Don’t put it away,” I pleaded softly. “It really is a good idea. Way better than go-karts.”

Trent still seemed unsure of his idea. That was something I liked about Trenton. One minute he seemed like the most confident guy ever and the next he wasn’t afraid to show his insecurities.

“May I?” I asked, sliding my hand down his arm to grasp the camera.

He swallowed thickly, watching with surprised blue eyes as he relinquished the camera to me.

I took it from him, looking over the camera. It was rather fancy, beyond my basic knowledge of cameras, but I finally located the correct button. I started taking pictures and felt myself begin to loosen up now that I wasn’t the one under the scrutiny of the lens. “Smile, Trent,” I coaxed, “you should be the happiest guy alive, since you’re on a date with moi.”

He laughed, and I snapped a picture. I stared at the large screen where the photo flashed for a moment. I liked seeing him like that, so carefree and happy, and knowing the reason he was like that was because of me. “Rowan Sinclair, did you crack a joke?” He grinned, playing with his sunglasses as I continued to take his picture.

“I believe I did, Mr. Wentworth,” I smiled. This was actually pretty fun. Who would’ve thought?

He reached for the camera, but I wasn’t ready to give it up. I started to run away, but I didn’t make it far. Trent’s muscular arm shot out, catching me around my middle. He spun me around. I couldn’t help but giggle at the motion. I felt weightless and free. None of my indiscretions clung to me. I was nothing but a girl having fun with a guy. I hadn’t realized till this moment how much I’d craved normalcy—and Trent was the only person that could give me that. He always managed to reveal the real me—the one that was normally a stranger to even myself. He was pretty amazing that way.

He kept spinning me around until I found my back pinned against the stone wall of one of the many shops lining the old town walking mall. He slung the camera strap over his shoulder, staring into my eyes. My arms weaved behind his neck like they had a mind of their own. One of his hands ventured to my waist, grasping me just above the curve of my butt. My body arched against his. His other hand found the nape of my neck and slowly drew my face to his. He gave me plenty of time to pull away—his way of letting me know I was in control of this—when I didn’t pull away his lips slowly pressed against mine. I hadn’t realized it, but a part of me had been dying to kiss him—to
really
kiss him—without him surprising me or trying to prove something. This was all about us, and how we truly felt. His lips glided over mine like he’d done it a million times. I surrendered to the carnal feelings that always overwhelmed me when I was near Trenton. Our sexual chemistry was off the charts—I couldn’t deny it. Fire ignited in the pit of my belly as his kisses descended down my neck. My eyes were closed and breathy sighs escaped me. I had no thoughts for the fact that
anyone
could be watching us. When Trent kissed me, I couldn’t think about anything, I could only feel. I needed to let him kiss me more often. His lips claimed my mouth once more and my arms wrapped tighter around his neck.

“Row,” he gasped, the sound of my name leaving his lips stirred my insides.

“Just kiss me,” I took his face between my hands, pressing forward.

We were tangled together and I wasn’t sure where I ended and he began. I let myself go and didn’t worry about anything else. For now, it was only Trent and I.

His lips parted from mine and he backed two steps away from me. His chest rose and fell heavily with every breath. He pulled at the ends of his hair and looked down at the ground. I suddenly felt very unsure of myself.

“Did I do something wrong?” I voiced my concerns. My lips tingled and my body was still humming from the kiss, but could it have been possible that he thought it was awful?

He shook his head back and forth, forcing his eyes to meet mine. “No, not at all.”